Emelyn Villagonza

Ilse is from the sunny Western Cape in South Africa. Ilse obtained her master’s degree in arts and began a career in marketing, before taking the decision to turn a passion and hobby (dog training) into a full-time vocation at the end of 2016.

Not doing anything by half measures, Ilse committed to her calling by furthering her education to complete both the Certificate and Diploma in Companion Animal Behaviour and Training (CertCAB and DipCABT) from the Centre of Applied Pet Ethology (COAPE) whilst simultaneously gaining experience and applying her knowledge as part of a canine training team in the Cape Winelands where Ilse ran both her own group and private training classes.

For Ilse, her love for her vocation keeps her motivated day and night…. in her own words: “I am a companion animal trainer and instructor by day and a companion animal behaviour researcher by night!”… and is happiest when teaching her two rescue dogs’ new tricks.

Ilse is fascinated by mammalian behaviour and learning, and is passionate about bringing innovative, science-based solutions to ensure a fun, fear free dog/human learning space…. The aim is to help owners and their dogs live a happy life together through compassion, kindness and science.

Ilse grew up with two dogs and a cat and now has her two wonderful rescues that bring her so much joy and pleasure.